Hypertension causes — What leads to sudden high blood pressure

Dr Santosh Kumar Dora explains what could lead to a sudden increase in your blood pressure.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: May 31, 2017 5:44 pm

Tags: Blood Pressure World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day is observed on the 17th of May every year. The theme for the year 2017 is Know Your Blood Pressure . Also Read - Commonly used blood pressure medications safe for COVID-19 patients

Also Read - Hypertension: 7 Common myths about high blood pressure debunked

Hypertension is known as a silent killer because it is not only asymptomatic (does not cause any symptoms till late in its course) but also idiopathic in nature (has no known cause) which makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. And this is the reason, why hypertension is most often detected at a doctor’s clinic during a regular health check-up. However, there are cases when you can experience a sudden rise in your blood pressure even when taking medications for hypertension. Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiac Electro Physiologist, Asian Heart Institute (AHI), Mumbai explains in detail about the four common causes of sudden hypertension and what can be done to keep your blood pressure in control. Here’s more on what causes high blood pressure. Also Read - What happens to your body when you eat too much salt

1. If you stop taking medication: Yes, one of the most common causes of a sudden increase in the blood pressure is not taking the medication as prescribed by a doctor. It is seen that only 1 in 5 persons is on treatment and only 5% have their BP in control. If you suffer from hypertension, then you have to bear one thing in mind that once you start taking medications for hypertension, it is very important to continue it for life long to keep your blood pressure in control. Not only this, even most people tend to take a lower dose of the prescribed medicine (for example if a doctor prescribed 10 mg of a drug, patients take 5 mg of the drug) which makes it difficult to achieve the desired result and maintain the pressure. Hence, always make sure that you take the proper dose of recommended medicine without fail to prevent a sudden rise in the blood pressure. However, in rare cases, if your blood pressure decreases or becomes close to normal, then your doctor might recommend a lower dose of medicine. This is usually the case with people having normal blood pressure for a long term and under strict supervision. Read about uses, side-effects and precautions of hypertension or high blood pressure medicines.

2. If you do not follow a strict diet: The second common cause of a sudden surge in blood pressure is the lack of proper diet. If you have a high intake of salt or salty foods, then the chances of suffering from high blood pressure are high. This is because having excess salt (more than a teaspoon per day) can strain the arteries, causing the arterial walls to become thicker and narrower and start clogging up. This not only increases the pressure but also hinders blood supply, oxygen and vital nutrients to other organs of the body. Also, intake of processed foods like pickles, papads and fast foods like chips is a strict no-no for people with hypertension. The same rule applies to people who eat fatty food like red meat and binge on alcohol, which puts you at high risk of sudden hypertension. Here’s how to reduce salt intake and control your BP.

3. If you take medications which can cause drug interaction: If you are taking medications for any health problems including a common cough and cold, then do let your doctor know about it. It is seen that certain medication cause drug interaction, which can either increase or decrease the effectiveness of the anti-hypertensive medications. For example, certain medications for common cold contain sympathomimetic compounds, which can increase the blood pressure. So if you suffer from low blood pressure or have normal blood pressure, this might not cause any harm, however, if you are suffering from hypertension, it can further increase your blood pressure, which is a cause of concern. In such a case, talking to your doctor might help in choosing the right dose and type of medications to deal with the condition.

4. If you suffer from diseases that can lead to hypertension: Not many people know that hypertension is mostly due to an underlying cause (also known as secondary hypertension). If you suffer from kidney disease but are not taking medications to treat it, it might cause a sudden increase in the blood pressure. Also, if you are suffering from a condition known as bilateral renal artery stenosis, then there are chances that you might suffer from sudden high blood pressure, which if left uncontrolled can lead to heart failure. Another condition that can put you at risk of sudden high blood pressure or hypertension is pheochromocytoma. It is an endocrine condition in which a tumour of the adrenal glands leads to excess production of adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones. Increased production of these hormones can lead to sudden high blood pressure. Here’s more on ways hypertension or High BP affects your body.

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Published : May 17, 2017 11:25 am | Updated:May 31, 2017 5:44 pm

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